Vocabulary
inevitable
adjective·/in-EV-uh-tuh-buhl/
Certain to happen and impossible to avoid. Something inevitable is coming no matter what you do.
Inevitable carries a sense of unstoppable momentum, the outcome was always going to arrive. It is stronger than "likely" and even than "certain," because it adds that nothing could have prevented it. "The change felt inevitable," "an inevitable consequence." It can be neutral, hopeful, or grim depending on what is coming. The noun is "inevitability," and "inevitably" is the common adverb ("inevitably, things went wrong").
5 ways to use “inevitable” in a sentence
- “Once the funding dried up, the layoffs felt inevitable.”
- “Conflict was inevitable given how differently the two teams worked.”
- “Progress made the shift inevitable; it was only a question of when.”
- “Inevitably, the one thing we did not test is the thing that broke.”
- “Some friction is inevitable when you grow this fast.”
Now say "inevitable" out loud, in your own sentence.
The fastest way to actually own a word is to use it when you speak, not just read it. Practice in TalkStride and get scored on how clearly it comes out.
Common mistakes
- Using it for merely "likely." Inevitable means it cannot be avoided, a much stronger claim.
- Spelling it "inevidable" or "inevitible"; it is i-n-e-v-i-t-a-b-l-e.
- Calling something inevitable in hindsight that was actually preventable, to dodge responsibility.
Similar words, and how they differ
certain
Certain means sure to be true or happen. Inevitable adds that it cannot be prevented or avoided.
unavoidable
Nearly identical to inevitable. Unavoidable stresses you cannot escape it; inevitable stresses it is bound to happen.
likely
Likely means probable. Inevitable means guaranteed and impossible to stop, far stronger.